Atypical Rett syndrome with selective FOXG1 deletion detected by comparative genomic hybridization: case report and review of literature

Eur J Hum Genet. 2009 Dec;17(12):1577-81. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2009.95. Epub 2009 Jul 22.

Abstract

Rett syndrome is a severe neurodegenerative disorder characterized by acquired microcephaly, communication dysfunction, psychomotor regression, seizures and stereotypical hand movements. Mutations in methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) are identified in most patients with classic Rett syndrome. Genetic studies in patients with a Rett variant have expanded the spectrum of underlying genetic etiologies. Recently, a deletion encompassing several genes in the long arm of chromosome 14 has been associated with the congenital Rett-syndrome phenotype. Using array-based comparative genomic hybridization, we identified a 3-year-old female with a Rett-like syndrome carrying a de novo single-gene deletion of FOXG1. Her presentation included intellectual disability, epilepsy and a Rett-like phenotype. The variant features included microcephaly at birth and prominent synophrys. Our results confirm that congenital Rett syndrome can be caused by copy-number variation in FOXG1 and expand the clinical phenotypic spectrum of FOXG1 defect in humans.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 / genetics
  • Comparative Genomic Hybridization*
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Pregnancy
  • Rett Syndrome / genetics*

Substances

  • FOXG1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins